Farmstays - UK - cottages on a farm

Farms are fascinating places for children. Perhaps it's due to those early books we read to them where they learn to identify a cow, chicken, pig, horse, sheep and other farm animals, or the songs they learn like 'Old Macdonald had a farm'. But for whatever reason, small children adore watching the farmer go about his daily business, and learning about life on the farm.

Stay on a farm to enjoy the best of the countryside, good food, and sometimes participate in farm life. The following self-catering farm holidays may just tempt you to stay on a farm.

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Farmstay cottage holidays where children can meet the animals

At this organic working farm in Exmoor there is a self-catering cottage as well as Bed & Breakfast accommodation.

This charming farm is set on a hillside within the greenery of the Exmoor National Park. Prizing itself as offering a real taste of country life, this farm has won various awards including an organic food award.

Up to 6 can be accommodated at the 3 bedroom farm cottage. The cottage benefits from a lovely position, on a hillside, 100 yards from the main farmhouse. If you need extra space for guests then do contact the owners to find out about availability in the Bed and Breakfast.

Other residents at the farm include ducks, geese and rare breed pigs. Take your children to meet some of the farmyard animals which can be a great experience for young ones.

Being within the Exmoor National Park, some of the best of Somerset’s walks are available pretty much from the doorstep. Could there be a better place to get a piece of the good life?

Farmstay in a stunning location just inside the Welsh English border

Cefnsuran Farm is a working farm in Powys, Wales. The farm enjoys a wonderfully rural location. The scenery here is of pastures, woodlands and hills. On the farm there are horses, cows and sheep. Also on this working farm is Suran-Y-Coed, a 2 bedroom luxury log cabin sleeping up to 4 people.

This lodge is well equipped with all modern conveniences and offers comfortable holiday accommodation. Close to the English border, a stay here may appeal to those who want a taste of the valleys but also want to explore some of Herefordshire. It is also possible to spend some time in the Brecon Beacons National Park as this park is around 20 miles away from the lodge.

Sitting room with Sky TV

Games room with snooker table

Bedroom and kitchen

The location is absolutely perfect for young children who will have the opportunity to see sheep, a few cows, calves in season, perhaps feed the pigs and play with the farm terrier called Sam.

With a rural, unspoilt setting, this lodge is a great place to enjoy looking out for wildlife, both on the farm and in the nearby woodlands. Local birdlife includes kites, buzzards and even the occasional owl at night.

The lodge has its own veranda with garden furniture where you can enjoy sitting out on warm, summer evenings and perhaps sipping a nice chilled glass of wine. For complete relaxation why not book to use the hot tub at the farmhouse? Please note that the lodge is non-smoking and that no dogs are permitted.

The countryside in mid-Wales is truly stunning - walk to the top of the hills in the valley and watch the sun go down.

Click on a photograph of the log cabin/pine lodge to find out more about log cabin holidays in Wales.

The Stable at Beaconhill Cottages in Northumbria - luxury cottages on a former farm

The Stable at Beacon Hill Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland, sleeps up to 6, and offers superb facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, fly fishing, horse riding in season. Northumberland has a reputation as a wild rugged land that offers challenges and wildlife rich countryside for walkers. The eastern coast of Northumberland has charming seaside villages and fishing harbours. The views of Alnwick Castle looking out to the coast are spectacular. The north east of England is the place to go for big views and memorable scenery.

Click on one of the images below, but do try to book far in advance - these cottages tend to be fully booked for the year by about April.

Luxury 4 and 5 star cottages for the best of Northumbria

Superb indoor swimming pool

The Stable Sleeps 2-5 in Whitminster, near Gloucester

The Stable. The Stable is a 2 bedroom self-catering property at Jaxons Farm in Gloucestershire sleeping up to 5. Originally a stable for working horses, this barn conversion now offers characterful self-catering accommodation and has a Visit England 3 star rating.

Features here include elm timbering and a king size bed in one of the bedrooms. The lounge and kitchen are open plan, a sociable option that many appreciate when on holiday. Some rooms benefit from views over the garden and surrounding fields. The cottage has an enclosed garden sheltered by trees. There is also a patio with garden furniture where you can enjoy eating al fresco on warm summer days.

The local village is around half a mile away and has a pub and a few shops.

This cottage is located on a working farm so likely to appeal to those specifically looking for farm-stay accommodation. There are also a number of places to visit should you wish to, including Gloucester and Cheltenham which are both within easy driving distance. The historical city of Bath is just over 20 miles away and the Cotswold Hills are relatively easily accessible from Gloucestershire. It is also possible to visit Stratford upon Avon in Shakespeare’s Country from here.

There are also a number of good walks in the local area including public footpaths from the farm.

Click on photograph for details of a self catering cottage holiday on a farm in the southern Cotswolds.

Farm cottages to rent in the West Country; Somerset, Devon, Cornwall

The agricultural farmlands of the West Country in England are a treasure trove of cottages and farmhouses to rent for farm holidays. Set amongst rolling hills, near moors and national parks or overlooking the coast, a stay in a farm cottage for a self-catering break would be a real pleasure.

One of the best aspects of staying on a farm are the interesting happening that occur. Cows trailing across a field to be milked may be mundane for country folk but of interest to people who do not live in rural areas. Watching a sheep dog round up a flock of sheep by just listening to a series of whistle is fascinating. Which of us cannot help pointing out pigs out on hillsides, horses grazing in a field or a flowering field of blue flax to our children?

Rent a farm cottage for a self-catering break in the West Country and enjoy the best that the countryside can provide. The West Country is popular for holidays because of its natural beauty and accessibility to the coast. Click on the farmstays on the left to find out more about self-catering holidays on a farm in the south west of England. You'll return home, refreshed and relaxed having seen a different way of life and new possibilities.

Poldue Farm in Cornwall for a close encounter with animals

With a setting in a secluded Cornish valley just 5 minutes from Blisland village, Poldue Farm has plenty to recommend it for rural retreat holidays. Staying on this 17 acre farm you’ll be in a relaxing rural spot, just one field away from gorgeous Bodmin Moor where you can find ponies roaming freely. On the farm there are horses, ponies, ducks, chickens, cats and dogs so if you love to be in the country this could be the place for you. This charming holiday home has 2 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 6 in total. For days out, the National Trust’s Pencarrow House is close by, as is the Eden Project. Discover the sights of Cornwall from this wonderful rural base.

Click on the image of this self catering farm cottage in Bodmin, Cornwall for more details and photographs.

Farm cottages on the Isle of Wight, sleep 2 and 4-5

A really peaceful and attractive place for a farm holiday is near Kingston on the Isle of Wight. The cottages are on a working farm although there isn't a local farmhouse or much happening apart from people arriving to feed the cattle and collect farm implements. Anyone staying can see the cows in the sheds and try to work out what the bits of machinery are for.

The cottages have a grassed lawn at the back and look out onto woodland. Pheasants, rabbits and foxes are common visitors. A way-marked train leads past the cottages and if you have visited the Isle of Wight before, you will know that it is mainly agricultural and fringed with lots of good beaches. There are few places in England that offer better farm holidays than the Isle of Wight. The scenery is lovely, much of the countryside as classified as being of outstanding natural beauty.

The two cottages near Kingston in West Wight offer comfortable family accommodation of a high standard. Click on the farm cottage photograph of the smaller cottage, the Pigsty, to view.

There are lots of places for families to visit in the area, buy tickets to the Blackgang Chine theme park that last a week so that you get more than your money's worth. Spend a few happy hours on Ventnor beach and the botanical gardens. For older children, visit Robin Hill Park. There are numerous historical buildings to tour but best of all is the lovely countryside to enjoy as you walk or cycle. Horse riding is also available nearby.

Bluegate Farm Cottages in Bedfordshire

Bluegate Farm Country Cottages, near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

There are two appealing country cottages at Bluegate Farm with good countryside views. Located just half an hour by car from north London, a stay here could be a great choice for those looking to get away from city life and spend some time in rural England.

Each holiday cottage sleeps from 2 to 6 people and benefits from its own private garden with outdoor furniture. Bedfordshire has plenty to offer visitors for fun packed days out or the chance to simply take it easy if you prefer.

Places to visit with the kids nearby include Whipsnade Wild Animal Park with its assortment of different animals and Woburn Safari Park for a chance to see monkeys amongst other animals. For woodland walks head to the National Trust’s Ashridge Forest and for wonderful views over Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Ivinghoe Beacon has to be one of the best places to visit. Also close by are the Chiltern Hills and wonderfully scenic villages such as Albury with its duck pond and good pub. More woodland walks can be found along the Ridgeway path which guides you through some of the stunning vistas of the Chiltern Hills.

Click to find out more about these attractive cottages on a farm in Bedfordshire for bookings and availability.

Farm Holidays in Wales

There are lots of fabulous holiday cottages for a relaxing self-catering holiday in north Wales. Some cottages have good sea views and king-size beds. They are all very well equipped and comfortable. The style varies from modern to farmhouse - something for everyone.

There are sandy beaches close to some for a spot of sunbathing and paddling, lovely countryside for nature rambles.

Near the coast

Beautiful rural location

Click on the photos above for more details of the holiday cottages in Wales